Great white shark

The most famous (or infamous) of all shark species, the
great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) inspires awe (and fear) in many people. Following years of
heavy recreational and commercial fishing, the species is now vulnerable and in
low numbers throughout the world.

Description

Great white sharks grow to at least six metres
and 3000 kg. Torpedo shaped, with a distinctive crescent shaped tail and very
small second dorsal and anal fins. White sharks have large, serrated triangular
teeth and are bronzy to blue on the top, white underneath, providing excellent
camouflage in the water.

Distribution

In Australia, white sharks are more commonly
found in the south, however sharks have been observed from central Queensland,
NSW, Victoria, SA and WA. White sharks are also found near shore along most of
the world's temperate coastlines, including South Africa, Guadeloupe and
California. The species is relatively scarce compared to other shark species.

Diet

Juvenile great whites (under about 3.5 metres) eat a
variety of fish, rays and other sharks. Larger adults eat marine mammals
including sea lions and seals, small toothed whales and otters.

Conservation status

Vulnerable. This species is now
protected in all Australian states and territorial waters. The White Shark is
also protected in many places around the world. South Africa was the first to
protect this species in 1992, followed by Namibia, the Maldives, Florida and
California and Australia. New Zealand gave the White Shark
protected species status in 2007.

Shark smarts

Did you know that great white sharks migrate?
This behaviour was first observed in 2003, when scientists in South Africa
tagged a female great white (lovingly named Nicole, after our own Nicole
Kidman) and were amazed to see that she swam over 11,000 km to Western Australia
in 99 days. She was observed in South Africa again, 6 months later, in August
of 2004. This behaviour has since been observed in sharks swimming around the
coast of Australia and over the ditch to New Zealand.